Adrián Simancas, 24, was paddling through the icy waters of Chilean Patagonia’s Strait of Magellan when a once-in-a-lifetime encounter unfolded. A humpback whale emerged from the depths, briefly pulling him into its mouth.
‘I saw dark blue and white colours before feeling a slimy texture brush against my face,’ Simancas recalled to BBC. ‘It felt like being hit by a wave.’
The incredible encounter, captured on his father’s 360-degree camera, has gone viral, sparking comparisons to Jonah and Pinocchio. However, marine biologists urge calm.
Marine bioligists say kayaker Adrián Simancas was never at risk
‘Humpbacks feed on krill and small fish. Their oesophagus is too small to swallow a human, and they lack teeth,’ explained María José Pérez Álvarez of the Universidad de Chile. ‘It’s important to keep at least 100 meters away from them to avoid injuries, even if unintentional.’
Though shaken, Simancas says the experience has left him with gratitude and respect for nature. “I felt blessed with a second chance to review the mistakes that led me to be there – not just in the expedition, but in life itself,” he reflected.
Cover photo: Todd Cravens on Unsplash
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